Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17932, Jonathan J Drown, R.I.

SERVICE
R.I.
Drown, Jonathan J.
NUMBER
S 17932
carded
CONTENTS

2955.
Rhode Island
Jonathan I Brown
of Bristol in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain  of the Reg't commanded by Col Miller in the R.I. line for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Dec 1832 and sent Jonathan Bullock Bristol R.I.
Arrears to 4th of Sep r 1832 $120 — Semi-ann. allowance ending 1 Mar 33 40 — $160 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. Sp. Blair Clerk Book D. Vol. 32 a Page 107.

State of Rhode-Island and } TOWN-CLERK'S OFFICE, Providence Plantations. } WARREN, July 14 th . 1832. Jonathan Jenks Drown son of Benjamin Drown and Hannah his wife, was born on the 30 th day of August A. D. Seventeen hundred Sixty A true copy of record. Witness Samuel Randall Town Clerk.

N o 6176.
Jonathan J. Drown of Barrington R.I.
Pool
2 years
Has not mentioned with precision the length of his term Neither in the papers nor properly authenticated
Nov 7 1832
adum
$80.
Nathl. Bullock Bristol R.I.

BRIEF in the case of Jonathan J. Brown of the County of Bristol — in the State of R. Island (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1796 Dec r he enlisted as — and the Company being equally divided they served alternately until Nov. 1779 — 2 8 — Private Gen. Wol Capt. Allen's Company & Capt. Thom's Allen Col. Nathan Miller  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Barrington  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Regular
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Bolt Examining Clerk.

Declaration Jonathan J. Drown
W 6176

DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, } ss. COUNTY OF BRISTOL, }
On this twenty eighth day of July 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Jonathan F. Brown a resident of Barrington in the County of Bristol, and State of Rhode-Island, aged Seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That in December 1776 he belonged to Captain Vial Allen's Company of Artillery as a private soldier in Barrington aforesaid; and that the whole of said Company were ordered into the public service, at the guard posts of Pennistick Point and Gayall Points, on the shores of Narragansett Bay in the month of December for the purpose of opposing the incursions of the British, who had taken possession of the Island of Rhode Island and into the country, and of protecting the entrance into Providence river and Warren river, and to protect the shipping in Warren river, which divides the town of Barrington from Warren. In a short time after said Company was ordered into the public service, the commanding officer divided the Company into two parts, of about equal numbers, putting half of the Company into each, and ordered them to relieve each other by turns and in rotation. Half of said Company to guard the shores of Gayall and Pennistick Points for a certain time, and the other half to succeed them for the same length of time, and in this way said Company continued to, and did perform military service by rotation, each member of the Company performing duty for one half of the time, from the aforesaid December 1776 until the enemy evacuated Rhode Island in November 1779, and for all of said time, said Company drew half pay and rations as other troops, and was stationed all that time, at or near the aforesaid exposed points of Gayall and Pennistick. And the said Brown declares that he performed duty in said Company as a private soldier during the whole of said time from December 1776 to Nov. 1779 by rotation as aforesaid, excepting thereout the following service, namely. In the month of April 1777 he enlisted into Capt. Thomas Allen's Company Col. Greene's Regiment of the State line, in the fifteen man the service, and served therein as a private soldier until the 16th March 1778 when the term for which the regiment was raised, expired, and he was discharged at Bristol. In this Company William Lawless and Nathaniel Humphreys were lieutenants. Armstrong was ensign. Stephen was Lieut. Col. of the Regt. and Williams was major. Simon Martin who was afterward Lieut. Governor of this State was adjutant. Said Regiment was stationed at Howlands Ferry in Newton for most of the time, and was under the command of Genl. Leonard except in time of Genl. Spencer's expedition when the latter had the command. In the month of July 1778 while he was in the first mentioned service under Capt. Vial Allen he was detached with one part of said Company under Capt. Allen, & was embarked on board Rhode Island for 30 days in Sullivan's expedition. He went on to the Island the latter part of July and staid the term out. Col. Nathan Miller commanded the Regiment to which he was attached.

month of April 1777 he enlisted into Capt Thomas Allen's Company, re-enlisted out of the state line, in the fifteen upon the service, and served therein as a soldier until the 16th March 1778 when the term for which the regiment was raised, expired, and he was discharged at Bristol - in this Company William Lawrence and Nathanial Humphreys were lieutenants - Armstrong was ensign, Joseph Popham was Lieut. Col. of the Regt. and Williams was major - Simon Martin who was afterwards Lieut. Governor of this State was adjutant - Said Regiment was stationed at Howlands Ferry in Newton for most of the time, and was under the command of Genl. Leonard except in times of Genl. Spencer's expedition when the latter had the command - In the month of July 1778 while he was in the first mentioned service under Capt Allen he was detached with one part of the Company under Capt Allen & was marched on to Rhode Island for 30 days in Sullivan's Expedition - he went on to the Island the latter part of July and staid the term out - Col Nathan Miller commanded the Regiment to which he was attached - Lieut. Col. Richmond, Peter Heath Major & H. Furner Miller was adjutant - that in August 1778 he was drafted for 30 days and was marched to the vicinity of Newport, where he served out his time - the regiment was composed of drafted men from all parts of the state & he does not now recollect the officers - there were at that time French officers in Newport who held a sort of festival in honor of some event in relation to their own country - And he further declares that he was born in that part of Warren now called Barrington Augt. 30. A.D. 1760, the copy of the record of which is hereunto affixed - that he resided in said Barrington at the time he entered into the service as aforesaid - when he ever has, and still continues to reside - that he never had any written discharge but that he was verbally discharged by his commanding officers from all his services - that he has no documentary evidence of any of said services - that Josiah Kinnicutt & Joseph Bicknell Esqrs. reside in his neighborhood, who testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution - He also refers to the enclosed depositions - and declares that he is not acquainted with any Clergymen in his immediate vicinity or neighborhood.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Attest J Davis Clerk Jonathan J Brown
We, Josiah Kinnicutt residing in the town of Barrington and Joseph Bicknell residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonathan J Brown who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be twenty two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Attest J Davis Clerk Josiah Kinnicutt Joseph Bicknell
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Josiah Kinnicutt Esq. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a citizen resident in the said Barrington and that Joseph Bicknell who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Barrington and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest J Davis Clerk
I, Ichabad Davis Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Jonathan J. Brown for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 24th day of July A.D. 1832
Attest J Davis Clerk

17932 INVALID.
File No. 17932
Jonathan J. Drown
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 152
[Arrangement of 1870.]

P
17932
INVALID.
Febry 12-1904, was a Chas. R. Brown, Penn R.
File No. 17932
Jonathan J. Drown Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 152
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 6176.
Jonathan S. Drown
Puah
2 years
Pet Case
R.I.
Nathl. Bullock
Bristol R.I.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jonathan J. Drown which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes- VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes.

 XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes  XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? in doubt  XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:  “Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____ ; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
† QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County of Bristol, in the State of Rhode Island, Jonathan J. Brown, an applicant for a pension, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he can not swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For eleven months at the least I served as a private soldier, in Capt. Thomas Allen's Company, in Col. Cramp's Regiment commencing in April 1777 and ending on March 16 th 1778; For one year, I served as a private soldier in Capt. Abel Allen's Company of militia, a part of which service was performed before and a part of it after the before-mentioned service, and I am certain the service I performed in said Abel Allen's company was not less than a whole year; For one month also I was drafted from said Abel Allen's company and went to Rhode Island in 1781, for which month I served as a private soldier, making in all two years, during the war of the revolution, and for such service I claim a pension.
Jonathan J Brown
Sworn and subscribed to this 22 d day of November
A. D. 1832, before me,
W m Throop Justice, Court of Common Pleas, County of Bristol.
The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol I hereby certify that William Throop Esqr whose signature in his own proper hand writing is affixed to the original of the above declaration of Jonathan J Brown is a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, duly commissioned under the Seal of said State and engaged therein according to law
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of our said Court this the 22 d day of November A D 1832 and of American Independence the Fifty Seventh.
J Davis Clerk

Joshua Bicknell of Barrington State of Rhode Island &c. aged since three years and upwards in solemn oath depose and say that I have ever been acquainted with Jonathan G. Brown of said Barrington, an applicant for a pension, and I know that he was a private in Col. Allen's company of Militia in said town - and that at the commencement of the Revolution, or rather as soon as the enemy took possession of Newport said Brown was called into the public service, as a private soldier in said company, and was stationed either at P- -tuck Point or Payett Point from the time last aforesaid, until the left Newport, doing duty half the time, as did the other soldiers in said company - drawing pay and rations from the state for the same proportion of his time when he was engaged in some other military service - I recollect he belonged to Thos. Allen's company led. brig. Regiment a considerable time I should say nearly a year - and also I know that he was on Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition in 1778.
Joshua Bicknell
Sworn to in open Court this 24 day of July AD 1832
Ichabod Davis Clerk
Josiah Kimmett of Barrington & State of Rhode Island &c. on Solemn oath do depose and say, that I have from my infancy been acquainted with Jonathan G. Brown of said Barrington, an applicant for a pension, and I know that said Brown enlisted and served in Thos. Allen's company in Crary's regiment a con- -siderable time but cannot say how long in the revolution any more - I have also a distant recollection that he belonged to Capt. Col. Allen's company of Militia in the public service, when that company was stationed at Barrington - I recollect very well his drawing his rations with the rest of said company at my father's store when the provisions were deposited by the company.
Josiah Kimmett
Sworn to in open Court this 24 day of July AD 1832
Ichabod Davis Clerk

I Josiah Kinnicut of Barrington & State of Rhode Island do hereby Solemnly do depose and say, that I have from my infancy been acquainted with Jonathan G. Brown of sd Barrington, an applicant for a pension, and I know that said Brown enlisted and served in Thos Allen's company in Crary's regiment a con- siderable time but cannot say how long in the winter from Mar - I have also a distant recollection that he belonged to Capt. Webb's Allen's company of Militia in the public service, when that company was stationed at Barrington - I recollect very well his drawing his rations with the rest of said company at my father's store when the provisions were deposited by the company
Josiah Kinnicut
Sworn to in open Court this 24 th day of July A D 1832
Ichabod Davis Clerk
Clerk's office Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol Nov 24 th 1832
I, do further certify that I am well acquainted with Josiah Kinnicut and Joshua Bicknell the above subscribed deponents and know them to be men of good character for truth and veracity.
J Davis Clk

17932 3-068. (Old No. 3-649.)
Bureau of Pensions.
Jonathan J. Brown
July 28, 1832 - 72 Barrington R.I.
Rec'd Barrington R.I. Capt Vial Allen " Thos Allen
Col Nathan Miller
" Avery
Det. 27th
7th Bat
Born Aug. 30, 1760 Barrington R.I.
There service was not continuous, but consisted of alternate months Company was divided the detachments serving alternately, kept about a year from Ap. 77 which was continuous

OFFICE OF
State Record Commissioner.
Providence, R. I., January 25th., 1904
Commissioner of Pensions, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me the pension record of Jonathan J. Brown a pensioner under the act of 1831, a private, R. I. State troops and oblige,
Yours truly,
Chas. L. Brown,
Care office of State Record Commissioner.
2955